Paul McCartney pays tribute to Chuck Berry

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Paul McCartney has joined the army of famous musicians who have offered up tributes to Chuck Berry, who died over the weekend (18Mar17).

The former Beatles star posted a heartfelt tribute to the rock 'n' roll icon on his website, calling Berry "a magician".

Berry was 90 when he was found dead at his home in Missouri on Saturday morning, and like many of his famous fans, McCartney can't believe the Johnny B. Goode singer is dead.

"Chuck Berry sadly passed away over the weekend," Paul wrote on Monday (20Mar17). "He was one of rock 'n' roll's greatest poets. He will be missed but remembered by everyone who ever loved rock 'n' roll.

"From the first minute we heard the great guitar intro to Sweet Little Sixteen we became fans of the great Chuck Berry. His stories were more like poems than lyrics - the likes of Johnny B Goode or Maybellene. To us he was a magician making music that was exotic yet normal at the same time.

"We learnt so many things from him which led us into a dream world of rock 'n' roll music. Chuck was and is forever more one of rock 'n' roll's greatest legends all over the world."

McCartney also recalled meeting his hero in his home town of St. Louis, Missouri, revealing the magic moment was "a memory I will cherish forever."